Verbal Abuse in the Elderly

Every year, elderly people suffer abuse in their home, homes of relatives or in care facilities. Understanding the signs of an elderly person who is being verbally abused can help you defend somebody against elder mistreatment or report it. Unfortunately, the people who most often verbally abuse the elderly are those who are directly responsible for their care.

Definition

• As people become elderly and more frail, they're less able to stand up to bullying and verbal abuse. Since they may not be able to hear or think as clearly as they used to, others can take advantage of them. Elders are abused by everyone from their caregiver in a hospital to their own children or spouses. Verbal abuse can include intimidation and threats. A senior being verbally and emotionally abused is being spoken to in a way that will cause emotional pain and distress. The abuser may yell at the senior to intimidate or threaten. The abuser may humiliate, ridicule or blame the elder.

Causes

• The abuser may verbally harass the elder in an effort to exploit him financially. The abuser may want access to the senior's funds or property, and may use his accounts, steal money or household goods, forge the senior's signature or even go so far as identity theft. The abuser might tell the elder that he's won a prize and that he must pay in order to claim, create a phony charity for the senior to donate money to or engage in investment fraud.

Signs and Symptoms

• Warning signs of verbal abuse in the elderly can be confused with symptoms of dementia or frailty. Symptoms that are similar to that of dementia include rocking or mumbling. If the senior is constantly arguing with her caretaker, or if you sense tension between them, this could point to verbal abuse. The elder may change her personality or behavior after being verbally abused.

Risks

• If an elder is being verbally abused, his condition may deteriorate at a faster rate than it would in a non-stressful environment. Other risk factors include burnout, impatience and inability of the elders to restrain themselves from lashing out. The senior may no longer be able to cope with stress and may become depressed or engage in substance abuse.

Reporting Abuse

• Depending on the state, emotional abuse may be considered a criminal offense. In most states, medical and emergency personnel, nursing home staff, public officials, counselors, clergy and social workers are required to report elder abuse. If you need to report elder abuse, speak with your doctor or consult the office of your local Adult Protective Services.